2020-2021 / BIOL0852-1

Ecosystems and climate change

Duration

24h Th, 16h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in biology of organisms and ecology (120 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Monique Carnol

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Course description The study of ecosystem functioning of the courses related to écology and biodiversity c has brought awareness on the interferences of anthropic activities on ecosystems although phenomnons could not be throroughly detailed. TThis course focuses on climate changes and their consequences for the funcitoning of ecosystems.
Table of contents
The carbon cycle and climate change
Introduction Climate change: proofs and causes The global carbon cycle Ecological consequences of climate change
NOTE:
As part of your university education, you can legally dispose of the materials made available to you (pdf Power Points, videos, podcasts, etc.) protected by copyright. These materials are intended only to be used by students as part of their studies at the University of Liège. No other use or distribution is authorized, under penalty of constituting a violation of the law of June 30, 1994 relating to copyright. If the resources were to be freely accessible on the web, the person responsible would be exposed to legal proceedings.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Each chapter comprises specific objectives (see document 'Objectifs du cours et évaluation on eCampus)), specifying student mastery at the end of the course. These specific objectives clearly identify the requirements of the assessments.
At the end of this course, you should be able to:



  • Present scientific information from a paper in a structured way
  • Demonstrate you comprehension of the topic of climate change through the analysis of a scientific paper
  • Interpret scientific results in relation to climate change with regard to the theory
  • Define, explain and use specific terms (radiative forcing, global warming potential, sesilience, resistence, GIEC,...)
Objectives relative to practicals



  • understand the difference between carbon stock and flux
  • understand the conception and use of models
  • explore carbon exchange between the atmosphere, the forest and forest products
  • understand and quantify the consequences of forest management on carbon exchange and link the results with lecture material

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

The sudy of the impact of anthropic activities on ecosystems implies a good knowledge of the basic priciples of ecology.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The topics considered in the theoretical course will be illustrated and expanded through the assessment of carbon exchange between the forest and the atmosphere, through the use of a model.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Most of theorectical courses are lectures illustrated with power point presentations, videos, slide shows. The topics considered in the theoretical course will be illustrated and expanded in  practicals.
Attendance of lectures and practicals (including the production of related reports) is mandatory. Should a student not fullfil this criteria he/she will be considered "inadmissible" to the exam.
All useful resources for the course are available online via eCampus (power point illustrations, supporting documents, autoevaluations, information, discussions,...). Note: downloading the documents is more efficient with a high speed connexion. Computer rooms are available on campus and the university has a efficient WiFi network.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Depending on the availability of auditoriums and the evolution of COVID regulations, the courses will be given face-to-face (with live broadcasting during course hours and recording, eCampus-Collaborate) or by viodeoconference (eCampus-Collaborate).
Given the interactivity of the course, the presence in the face-to-face lessons/ the direct diffusion of the videoconference is recommended (in compliance with health measures).
The oral exam  will by organized by videoconfrence on eCampus-Collaborate.

Recommended or required readings

 Power point presentations will be available online (pdf). 

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

Assessment consists in :








  • 30%: an appreciation of students activities during practicals. At the end of practicals, each student will be asked to provide a writen report (most likely in groups of 2).
  • 70%: an oral exam (with written preparation), will be held during the session and will concern both the theoretical and practical courses.
REMINDER (see general examination rules): Cheating or plagiarism are severely sanctioned, leading to a score of 0/20 at the exam. Participation at practicals, as well as the submission of reports is mandatory (students failing to comply with this rule may be declared inadmissible at the exam). Any dealy in the submission of the report leads to a score of 0/20.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Laboratoire d'Ecologie Végétale et Microbienne, Botanique, Bât. B22, Chemin de la Vallée 4, 4000 Liège, Belgique (3ème étage)
Prof. Monique Carnol : Tel. 04/3663845 (bureau) ; Tel. 04/3663817 (laboratoire), E-mail : m.carnol@uliege.be